Orchid balks at summer fertilizer ban to protect Indian River Lagoon; concerned about lawns, industry

ORCHID — Citing concerns about their having a lack of scientific data to support a summer ban on using fertilizer to protect the Indian River Lagoon, the Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday to table the adoption of a stronger fertilizer ordinance that mirrors the county's.

The majority of cities and counties along the 156-mile lagoon have approved a stronger ordinance.

Mayor Hal Ofstie said council members will review scientific data about the effects of fertilizers on the lagoon before considering the ordinance at their next meeting in March.

"I think we should postpone the decision to get more information from the opposing side," Ofstie said. "It's worth taking a hard look at."

The fertilizer industry has said there's no problem if people use common sense and don't apply fertilizers before the forecast calls for heavy rain. Environmentalists say nitrogen from fertilizers are poisoning the lagoon, and the weather's too unpredictable to risk chemicals washing off lawns into the lagoon.

The five-member council in January unanimously gave preliminary approval to the ordinance, which calls for a four-month ban from June through September.

CHANGE OF HEART

Councilman Bud Oatway said he was now concerned about causing problems with residents' lawns, so he wanted professionals to inform the council on the effects of a ban. He said University of Florida scientists have indicated depriving lawns of fertilizer during the summer growing period could be detrimental.

"I am concerned with the blackout period," he said. "We're dismissing too cavalierly the views of the University of Florida."

Councilman Paul Johnson said he shared Oatway's concerns about the need for more scientific information.

"The original ordinance that is currently in place was scientifically based and it came out as a way to solve the problem," Johnson said. "But some well-meaning citizens have come up with their own ideas and are pushing the stronger ordinance and it affects a lot of people."

The Sierra Club and Marine Resources Council are lobbying governments throughout Florida to approve stronger ordinances that contain a summer ban, exclusive use of fertilizers that contain at least 50 percent slow release nitrogen, a required soil test before using phosphorus, and a 10-foot buffer from water.

Vice Mayor George Mekras said while he thinks fertilizers affect the lagoon, but he's not convinced the council has enough scientific information to make a decision that could affect so many businesses too.

"I don't think the answer is out there yet," Mekras said. "Let's not create such a hardship for industries until we know that's the answer."

Lagoon advocate John Orcutt said he and others will continue to fight for the blackout period as a way to improve water quality in the lagoon.

"The most important part of the ordinance is the blackout period," Orcutt said. "You can correlate every significant rain event with excess nitrogen runoff into the lagoon. We're at a point now where we need to take action on behalf of the lagoon."